Missy Franklin wins 2014 Laureus Sportswoman of Year

Cal freshman swimmer Missy Franklin at 18 became the youngest winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award on Thursday in a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Laureus World Sports Awards are considered among the highest honors in international sports.

Franklin, the swim star of the 2012 London Olympics, went on to become the first woman to win six gold medals in a single World Championships, which she did in 2013.

“This is such a dream come true,’’ Franklin said. “I have to thank Laureus for even considering me for this. It is so incredible, being in the presence of so many unbelievable athletes. Being here is more than an honor.’’

Franklin won the award over a group of finalists that included U.S. tennis player Serena Williams, Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva.

Franklin was chosen for the 2014 Sportswoman of the Year award by the 46 living members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, including, among others, Chairman Edwin Moses, Marvin Hagler, Tony Hawk, Michael Johnson and Daley Thompson.

John Crumpacker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jcrumpacker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @crumpackeroncal